Valve has announced that it is allowing users to apply for the Steam for Linux beta.

Valve is specifically looking for experienced users that are familiar with Linux and are running Ubuntu 12.04 or above. This is likely because it's in the way early stages and needs a good debugging. Users that are newer to Linux are being asked to wait until the next beta release to apply.

There are only 1,000 spots available in the current registry, so those who fit the bill can sign up through their Steam accounts. Valve will follow up with users afterward.

Steam is a digital distribution, multiplayer and communications platform that distributes video games online from small developers to larger software companies.

You know Ubuntu has an app store, right? The apps from the repos appear there, too. All one-click install.

PPAs are for developers and enthusiasts, normal people isn't meant to use them, but even then there is a graphical PPA manager floating around, and you can also manage them graphically from the good ol' Synaptic although this option is slightly less straightforward.

A lot of bloggers and tutorial writters post lines to be entered into the terminal, but that's not because you have to use the terminal, you don't have to, they just think it's easier for you to copy/paste a line than for them to explain where to click.

"Intel is investing heavily (think gazillions of dollars and bazillions of engineering man hours) in resources to create an Intel host controllers spec in order to speed time to market of the USB 3.0 technology." -- Intel blogger Nick Knupffer